Skin Care
 
 
The following steps should be taken to maintain healthy skin:
1. Moisturize well every day with a product that has no color or odor. Crisco shortening, DML moisturizing lotion, and Eucerin cream are a few examples of products we have seen very good results from use.
2. Wear soft, loose cotton fabrics. Tight or scratchy clothing can increase irritation.
3. Keep fingernails short to avoid skin break down with scratching.
4. A cool mist humidifier can help keep the air moister and decrease skin dryness.
5. Minimize bathing/soaking time and use a mild soap such as plain dove moisturizing bar soap. Specifically avoid bubble baths and perfumed soaps.
6. After bathing pat the skin dry rather that rubbing, and apply a moisturizer as soon as possible.
7. Contact our office for an evaluation if the above measures are not providing relief of the skin irritation, if the skin is breaking down or particularly inflammed, if bruizing is noted, or if fever or other symptoms occur. Prescription medications may be helpful for some skin conditions.

NEWBORN SKIN CARE
Skin - The skin of your newborn may exhibit a variety of bumps and rashes. These are normal, and most will clear spontaneously. Many newborns develop what appears to be dry peeling skin, especially around the wrists, ankles, and other creases. This needs no specific care, and will disappear on its own in one to two weeks.
You may notice little white bumps on the face of your baby, especially on the forehead, nose, and cheeks. This is called milia, and is composed of normal skin cells. It requires no treatment and will clear by itself. Ointments and creams should also be avoided since they tend to block the pores, and do not allow air to reach the skin.
Your baby is exposed to mother’s hormones before birth, and may exhibit a mild case of acne, usually between four to six weeks of age. This also clears by itself, requiring no treatment.
Many babies are born with red patches at the eyelids, forehead or the nape of the neck sometimes called “stork’s beak marks” or “stork bites. ” These are normal in the newborn period and will fade, usually at one year or so. You may also notice a dark discoloration around the baby’s buttocks. This is normal and is usually seen in darker-skinned infants. Birth marks tend to further develop or enlarge in the first weeks of life. Please ask us about any you notice.



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